Wedding Recap: Bridesmaid Gifts

I debated almost the entire length of my engagement about what I was going to get to thank the fabulous girls that stood next to me on my wedding day.  I started early and just kept finding small things that I added to their bag of loot!  My advice is to start early and buy things over time.  That way you aren't spending all the money at once and it's more manageable to spend a bit more because you're doing it over time...at least that's how I rationalized it!

If you remember from a previous post, I also paid for the girls to get manicures and pedicures the day before the wedding...we had a great time getting pampered together! 

Part 1:

cute fabric covered rings from etsy seller brookerpie

each girl got a different design

i didn't anticipate them weraing them with their dresses but they did!

Part 2:

green crystal earrings also from etsy, but the seller is no longer around

this is one of the only pictures i have :(

Part 3:

my mom made each of the girls a small jewelry pouch in their favorite color

and i put their earrings and rings inside

here is the picture of mine...most of theirs were purple!

Part 4:

i got each girl a different necklace from dogeared

each fit her favorite color or something about her personality

Part 5:

personalized coffee tumblers also from etsy

each got a different color with their first initial

Part 6:

everything was packaged in the infamous LLBean Boat and Tote bag!

each girl got their favorite color and their first name embroidered on the outside

of course...i had to buy one for myself too!

Overall, I spent more than what is probably average for bridesmaid gifts.  My feeling was that these girls are my sisters and my best friends and I should treat them like queens.  They spent money on their dresses, shoes, getting their hair done, my shower, gifts for me and I felt I needed to show them how appreciative I was of their love and support.  And of course, it's just fun to buy presents!

Love you girls!

Feeling better!

I have to say that getting the mail these days is pretty fun (even though I secretly hope for a few declines still)! Today we didn't get any responses, but...we did get 2 presents today! Soo exciting! We got a gift card to Crate & Barrel and...one of my most coveted items...a piece of Le Creuset cookware!
Isn't it pretty?!? I *love* the color :)

A Few Gifts

I have been "organizing" the chaos that is my guest/wedding room today. I realized that I haven't blogged about gifts that I've bought so far. Of course, I can't share my bridesmaid's gifts just yet because they all read this! But...I do have part of my flowergirl's gift and something small for the mothers.

I got my flowergirl an American Girl "Just Like You" doll. She will even have a replica of the flowergirl's dress! I can't wait to give this to her...

For each of the mothers, I purchased a hankie with our wedding date on it.

Mother of the Bride

Mother of the Groom

And of course...I had to get one for myself with my new monogram...and NO...it's not a brand of beer! (That was the first thing Mr. G said...)

The first "real" celebration!

Yesterday was the first of my showers and I am left to clean up the remnants of my gifts this morning!

This shower was thrown by my Future Mother-in-Law and her friends. There were about 30 people there when all was said and done! The ladies held the shower in the beautiful yard at one of their houses. They had lots of yummy little desserts for everyone to nibble on as well. We played a game that was sort of like Family Fued with bridal questions and we also played a game of bridal shower word scramble. All in all, it was a perfect day and everyone had a good time. Many of the guests were people I had not met before so it was nice to get to know more people on my ever-growing guest list.

My mom and I at the cake table

My china pattern...Vera Wang Grosgrain

And of course the awkward lingerie shot...

Presents!

Our first gifts to be delivered to the house arrived today! Sooo exciting! I got home from work and 2 large Crate & Barrel boxes were waiting for me on the doorstep...it was all I could do to wait for Mr. G to get home to open them! My first shower is this weekend which is why I didn't feel too guilty about opening them. They did turn out to be from 2 guests who will be at my shower this weekend.

6 margarita glasses (how fitting for today?)

AND

A set of 3 candle holders

Let the thank you note writing begin!

Almost double digits!

Sorry...my computer has been out of commission for the last week or so. I was waiting patiently for my new power cord to arrive! Apparenly since my computer is so "ancient" (as I was told my the sales guy at Fry's) I had to order my new $100 power cord directly from HP...ugh!

Anyways, I have many, many updates for you all! Here goes...

First up, my hair comb finally arrived from the etsy seller BelleNouvelleDesigns. It is even more beautiful than I expected and I can't wait to show it to my hair stylist! I think it will be perfect and will post picture updates once I do a hair trial with her.

Also, I found the cutest invitations for my bridesmaid (and special selected others) mani-pedi party on Friday before the rehearsal. I couldn't resist taking of picture of my "wedding/guest room"...can you find the bed??

And finally, a few weeks ago I received an email that our wine glasses from Crate and Barrel had been discontinued. I really loved these wine glasses so I was complaining to my mom about how we needed to go and pick new ones...well...she surprised us and bought all 24 of our glasses! 12 red wine and 12 white wine glasses take up some serious space sooo...Mr. G and I had to make some room in our cupboards. We had the requisite "arguments" over keeping alllll of the plastic Cal Football cups that Mr. G picked up at the numerous Cal games he's been to. I made a deal with him and the cups made their way to the trash can! I won't go into details about the deal ;). Here are our new glasses resting pretty in our cupboards!

Invitations have gone out for both of my showers next month and I am just so excited that celebrations are finally starting to happen! I feel like we have been engaged for-e-ver but then again I feel like the last 9 months have FLOWN by...105 days...almost double digits!

Moving along

Mr. G and I have been on vacation all week so we have been taking care of little things. We went to Macys and Crate and Barrel to finalize our registries and make sure we had everything on there that we wanted. Something about registries still feels so greedy to me...but I'm excited to start receiving presents...I won't lie about that!

Yesterday we went over to our wedding site and met with all of our parents, the home-owners, and our awesome DJ and caterer. They were so impressed with the site and we got the layout planned out and the details of where everything will be, how the lighting will be and how everything will go on the night of our wedding. I was very exciting leaving and knowing that my vendors were happy and they were genuinely excited about our big day.

I have been eyeing a few things on etsy.com for awhile and think I will purchase them soon. One being a clutch for my on the big day and another being something cute for my girls...I can't resist another gift! Seriously girls...I wish I could show you the bag of loot you're getting! I can't wait!

I think that's all for now...I'll hopefully have an update on my first shower here shortly and even better...my dress should be here in a month! :)